The Brew Hammond Energy Centre of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has rolled out 120 Energy Efficiency Advisors to embark on a project dubbed ‘Energy Efficiency for Households/Small Medium Enterprises in Kumasi’.
The Team would visit about 6,000 households and SMEs in Kumasi to educate them on how to conserve energy in the usage of electrical appliances such as refrigerators, television sets, air-conditioners, microwaves, fans and among others.
Briefing on Energy Efficiency Project in Kumasi, Professor Imoro Braimah, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences revealed that the College of Engineering has been conducting research on inefficient electrical appliances for several years which has proven to be the primary cause of high bills for the use of electricity in Ghana. This research, he said has enabled the College of Engineering to produce a prototype solar powered air conditioner which saves energy.
Professor Imoro Braimah, stated that the Energy Efficiency Project was implemented by the Brew Hammond Energy Centre in collaboration with Energy Foundation and supported by the German government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Nana Asafo Afriyie, the Representative Director of the Energy foundation, stated that in collaboration with the Brew Hammond Energy Centre, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta River of Ghana (VRA), the Energy Foundation has educated the public on energy conservation. He pointed out the fact that many refrigerators in Ghana have very low star ratings or no energy labels at all. He therefore, encouraged Ghanaians to buy refrigerators with a 3-star or higher labelling which conserves energy. He expressed gratitude to GIZ for funding the project.
Touching on achievement of Energy Efficiency, he said that the Energy Foundation replaced about 4 million incandescent lamps with the Compact Fluorescent Light nationwide at the cost of 12 million dollars to conserve energy.
Mr. Lawrence Lartey, a representative from the Ministry of Energy speaking at the launch recounted that the Energy Efficiency which started in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana yielded great results. He hoped the outcome in Kumasi would yield same results and called for more support from others to champion the vision of conserving energy.
Nana Adu Gyamfi, a representative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in his address mentioned that if the project becomes successful, the contributions of GIZ and all other stakeholders would be widely acknowledged. He added that as GIZ has chosen the Brew Hammond Energy Centre to operationalise the project, he is confident that the results would justify the efforts the various stakeholders have made to help improve Energy Efficiency. His Majesty, he mentioned is following events with keen interest and hopes the project would be successful.
Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister in his keynote address mentioned that the Government attach great importance to the Brew Hammond Energy Centre and would continue to support all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of its growth. As part of government’s support to the Energy Efficiency project, he said that the Government is committed to supporting the Brew Hammond Energy Centre in providing cost effective and affordable electricity supply. For instance, the Government through the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) is executing an Energy Reform Project under Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) programme to the year 2021, with a total of US 498.2 million. The expected output, he stated is to reduce the energy consumption in Ghana and implement renewables including solar energy.
Currently, Ghana is also committed to developing its renewable energy source and has therefore established a 2.5 MW solar power plant in the Northern Region and 20 MW solar system in the Central Region, he mentioned. He commended the Brew Hammond Energy Centre and all other stakeholders for rolling out the project.